I believe ...

What do you believe? Well I believe one of the most important things we need to do as educators is ensure our students are ethical users of content and creators of truly original content.  We need to teach our students it is not all right to steal... words, images, ideas.

Why is this important? Take a look at this post about the new Britney Spears perfume. I was appalled... how about you?

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ULearn News

For everyone attending ULearn 07 in Auckland, here's a blog for your aggregator. ULearn News is the official ULearn blog where you will find all the latest information about this conference.

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NZ Bloggers' Cafe at ULearn 07

Hey all you NZ edubloggers out there, want to put a face to the blog?  The NZ Bloggers Cafe is happening this year at ULearn 07.  Come along and engage with other bloggers in some lively debate about life, the universe and everything.  This would also be a great place for 'budding bloggers' to come and learn some tips and tricks from 'blooming bloggers'.  The cafe will be open during morning tea and lunch breaks so come along and join in the discussions. The venue will be advertised in the conference handbook and I am told there will be some aromatic coffee available!

We will need people to help man the cafe during these break times, the idea for the cafe is twofold.  The first is so that we can all get together and meet in person the minds we have been reading.  The second is to be of help to other bloggers just starting out and who would like some tips and tricks.  If you would like to help, please leave me a comment.

I would like to kick the cafe off with a targetted discussion during lunch on the first day of conference.  There has already been a suggestion of looking at the issues raised in the Karl Fisch presentations, if you have a topic you think would be a great one to get us started please also leave a comment.

I look forward to meeting my aggregator in person, there are some great bloggers in NZ and I'm sure there are some I haven't discovered yet.

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What is the point?

I found this Youtube video on Christopher Sessum's blog.  Very thought provoking.  We often hear the question, "are we preparing our students for their future or our past?"  After watching this video I think you will agree that preparing our students for their present is just as important.  Let's sing and dance our way through life, seeing each step as an achievement in itself and not race towards the end (sounds like the name of a friends blog)

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Expanding Oral Language in the Classroom

I am not in the habit of advertising on my blog, however I had to share this book.  I have just completed reading this new publication written by Jannie van Hees.  Anyone looking for an understandable resource that outlilnes why Oral Language instruction is important need go no further than this book. 

Jannie not only outlines why it is important to focus on Oral Language but also explains clearly how to go about it.  Examples of real teachers and children in real classrooms are dotted throughout the book and there are lots of practical examples you could start off with in your classroom. 

Think about the question, "who does all the talking in your classroom?"

This resource is available from NZCER.
Expanding oral language in the classroom

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8 Random Facts Meme

I’ve been tagged by mstina on the 8 random facts meme

First, the Rules:
1) Post these rules before you give your facts
2) List 8 random facts about yourself
3) At the end of your post, choose (tag) 8 people and list their names, linking to them
4) Leave a comment on their blog, letting them know they’ve been tagged

For some reason I find these memes quite fun :)  Here we go

1. I once had a job writing poetry for a Gorillagram company
2. My middle name is the name of a Walt Disney character and the mascot of Baby Champs champagne in England
3. I was a state gymnast in Western Australia in my youth
4. I like to do folk art painting
5. I was a horsey girl when I was growing up, I owned three different horses at different times. My first horse was rescued by the RSPCA and given to me, a 28 year old ex Pacer who was more like a pet dog than a horse.  (he died :( after a wonderful year together)
   
6. I like to run and play netball
7. I went to a Spandau Ballet after party with the band, after attending their concert in Perth. By the way, this is the only concert I have ever been at.
8. I once toured the North West of Western Australia with a comedian and his dance troup - "Big Daddy and His Dollies"

Okay, tag you're it:
1. Greg Carroll
2. Iain Bonney
3. Janine Clague
4. Paul Harrington
5. Allanah King
6. Sheryl Nausbaum-Beach
7. Derek Wenmoth
8. Rachel Boyd

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